Determination of the Relationship between Stress and Burnout Levels in Nurses in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: This research was conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study to determine the perceived stress and burnout levels of nurses in the Covid-19 pandemic. Methodology: The universe of the research consists of 140 nurses working in the pandemic service and intensive care units of a city hospital. No sample calculation was made in the study, and all nurses who agreed to participate in the study were included in the sample. Number of nurses participating in the present study was 121 and the participation rate in the study was 86.42%. The data were collected between 01-31 May 2020 and the study was completed between 3 May and 30 July 2020. The data were collected from the participants using a personal information form, Maslach Burnout Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale. Results: When the burnout score averages of the nurses were evaluated in the study, emotional high levels of exhaustion, depersonalization and personal achievement and nurses experienced severe emotional exhaustion. The mean score of the perceived stress scale of the nurses participating in the study was 32.96±4.76. In this study, a positive and moderately significant relationship was found between perceived stress and burnout level. Conclusions: It was found as a result of the present study that nurses perceived stress and burnout levels were also high in the Covid-19 pandemic. It is important to measure the stress and burnout among nurses because their well-being has effects on the stability of the health work force and the quality of care provided.